Council’s submission to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) is seeking to maintain rates and is not seeking a year-on-year rate increase. Administrator Rik Hart strenuously dispelled misinformation about what this application really means for ratepayers. “Council is not seeking an increase on top of what ratepayers currently pay in the ordinary rate.
Council has reached a milestone in the development of a long-term strategy to address coastal erosion at Wamberal Beach.The Wamberal Beach Terminal Protection and Sand Nourishment Investigation project is complete, now that the Coastal Monitoring Webpage is live, and the Cost Benefit Analysis has been released, and criteria have been identified for a preferred seawall design.The Cost Benefit Analysis is available online at yourvoiceourcoast.com, with feedback welcome from the community up until Sunday 20 March 2022.Chief Executive Officer David Farmer said that by identifying a long term solution, Council is fulfilling its role as a certifying authority for development, whilst ensuring legislative obligations are undertaken with guidance from community consultation.“By completing the Wamberal Beach Terminal Protection and Sand Nourishment Investigation project, Council has delivered on some key management actions of the certified Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP),” Mr Farmer said.“The review of all expert technical studies, extensive community consultation and consideration of Council’s role and legislative responsibility in relation to coastal erosion have highlighted specific criteria for a preferred seawall design as the most effective and viable long-term solution for beach erosion at Wamberal.
I would like to take the opportunity in this week’s message to correct the record and reassure the community of Council’s approach in our application to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).
Central Coast Council’s Special Variation submission is now available for review and public submissions direct to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART). IPART has advised it will receive public submissions from today to 7 March and submissions can be made via IPART’s website at ipart.nsw.gov.au. Council assures residents and ratepayers that their feedback made direct to Council is also being provided to IPART. Council encourages anyone who wishes to make a submission to IPART to review the background materials available on Council’s website Your Voice Our Coast, including: Information brochureInformation video Fact Sheet – Productivity Improvements Fact Sheet Engagement Report – Maintaining Services and RatesFAQsStrategic documents – Revised Community Strategic Plan;
Council to proceed with Request for Information from aviation industries for Central Coast Airport MasterplanCouncil has authorised staff to proceed to Gateway 1 and 2 of the Central Coast Airport Development Framework.
Central Coast Council has partnered with five Hunter-based Councils to combine selected electricity requirements into a ten-year Power Purchase Agreement. The Agreement with MOJO Power which commenced January 2022, combines participating Councils’ electricity requirements of 100GWh for large sites and streetlighting, and will increase sources and consumption of renewable energy within the Councils’ regions. The six Councils participating are Lake Macquarie City Council, Upper Hunter Shire Council, Maitland City Council, Cessnock City Council, Muswellbrook Shire Council and Central Coast Council.Central Coast Council Director Corporate Affairs and Chief Financial Officer, Natalia Cowley said combining Central Coast’s energy load with neighbouring local government areas to increase purchasing power helped leverage competitive market pricing and made good commercial sense.“Over the past 12 months, Council has taken decisive action to implement cost management measures without largely impacting on the services it delivers to the community,” Ms Cowley said. “This Power Purchase Agreement provides Council with value for money, increases our use of renewable energy sources and further demonstrates Council’s steadfast commitment to productivity improvements.” Central Coast Council Administrator, Rik Hart said in addition to the significant economic benefits, Council is pleased to be delivering on its commitment to incorporate renewable energy and energy efficiency in future design and planning.“This Agreement demonstrates such sentiment extends beyond the borders of Central Coast Council’s boundary and recognises a commitment to sustainability and long-term financial stability across participating local government areas,” Mr Hart said.The Agreement follows an open tender process run in September 2021, with the winning bid from MOJO Power providing the best value for money outcome. From November 2020, Council’s focus on financial recovery implemented a broad range of productivity improvements which have been achieved through consolidation of services, technological progression and the transition to high efficiency and purposeful equipment. Council has made numerous other productivity improvements that will continue to have ongoing positive impacts on service delivery and provide benefits to the community year on year. For more information on Council’s productivity improvements, view the Fact Sheet:
Central Coast Council is calling on our local amateur artists over the age of 50 to enter its popular Grandma Moses Art Competition.After a break following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, this popular competition is back and now in its 38th year.